Apple Unveils Inaugural Scripted Series: Jennifer Aniston-Reese Witherspoon Morning TV Drama and ‘Amazing Stories’
Apple has lifted the veil on its first scripted series efforts: a drama set in the world of a network morning show and a revival of anthology “Amazing Stories” shepherded by Steven Spielberg and Bryan Fuller.
The straight-to-series orders for both projects are the first fruits of the effort to rev up Apple Video’s entry into the premium TV arena. The tech giant recruited former Sony Pictures TV presidents Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg in June to head the production push, which aims to target a global audience.
The untitled Aniston-Witherspoon drama hails from Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res production company, Aniston’s Echo Films and Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner. The starry project was highly sought after by a number of outlets and landed a two-season order (10 episodes apiece) from Apple. Media Res, Aniston and Witherspoon are the principle owners of the show.
The series is based on an idea from Ellenberg and will draw background material from CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter’s 2013 book “Top of the Morning,” which recounted the recent rivalry between NBC’s “Today” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Jay Carson (“House of Cards”) is writing the pilot and will serve as showrunner. Stelter is serving as a consultant.
“Amazing Stories” hails from Universal Television and Amblin Television. Spielberg, Fuller, Amblin’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey and “Bones” creator Hart Hanson are exec producers.
Apple’s distribution plan for both series is still unclear.
(Pictured: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon)
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